Associations between trunk flexion and physical activity of patient care workers for a single shift: A pilot study

BACKGROUND: Trunk flexion and occupational physical activity are parameters that have been used to assess and characterize jobs with high physical demands. OBJECTIVE: Characterize the physical load of trunk flexion and physical activity of patient care unit (PCU) workers during a single work shift. METHODS: Participants wore an accelerometer to measure physical activity and an inclinometer to assess trunk flexion during a single work shift, which was compared using correlation and linear regression analyses. RESULTS: Participants spent 74% of their work time upright between -10 degrees to 20 degrees and 19% of their time flexed between 20 degrees to 45 degrees On average workers spent 3% and 5% of their time, in the extreme postures of less than -10 degrees and greater than 45 degrees, respectively. Participants spent 99% of their shift below moderate and vigorous activity. The largest correlation found was between the number of forward trunk flexions to 20 degrees degrees per shift and minutes in lifestyle activity (r = 0.6, p < 0.001). No correlations between minutes of moderate or vigorous physical activity and trunk flexion were observed. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the physical demands of patient care unit workers as measured through trunk flexion are associated with lifestyle and light levels of physical activity.